European Association of Libraries and Information Services on Addictions

Saving Money and Saving Lives

Electronic cigarettes aren’t truly “cigarettes” at all. They’re small machines designed to look and feel like a cigarette. Rather than tar, chemicals and smoke, however, e-cigarettes produce water vapor through the use of an atomizer. The smoker inhales and exhales the vapor just as he would the smoke from a conventional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes are surging in popularity as more and more smokers recognize the considerable benefits they offer.

E-Cigarettes Are Less Toxic
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that some e-cigarettes may contain a toxic substance known as diethylene glycol, conventional cigarettes contain over 4,000 known carcinogens – making electronic cigarettes a clearly less-toxic alternative.

Secondhand smoke may not be as toxic as actually smoking, but it still presents a clear danger to exposed individuals. Secondhand smoke contains the same carcinogens smokers inhale – making it a clear cancer risk. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, secondhand smoke is responsible for roughly 3,000 cancer cases each year. An E-cig or vaporizadore, however, gives off water vapor rather than secondhand smoke, making them harmless to friends, family members and passerby.